Page 49 of Return to Satterthwaite Court

A third blond gentleman stood by the damask-draped window at the opposite end of the room, arms folded as he peered outside, frowning. The eldest brother, Charles presumed. He looked to be close to Charles’s age, though not vastly dissimilar from the much older gentleman seated by the fire in company with a petite lady who could only be Kate’s mother, Margaret Beresford, Countess of Allendale.

“Lieutenant Heywood and Miss Heywood,” the butler announced.

The Beresfords all looked up in unison. One of the spaniels uttered a low woof. The other spaniel stood, its tail wagging with interest.

Kate was out of her chair in an instant. She swiftly crossed the room to greet them, the skirts of her pale blue cashmere gown floating about her legs. “Lieutenant Heywood. Miss Heywood.” She curtsied, smiling. “How pleased I am to see you! We all wondered when you would arrive. The roads are so uncertain this time of year.”

Charles bowed to her. “Lady Katherine.”

Hannah murmured a greeting of her own as she returned Kate’s curtsy. Her cheeks were pink, her voice barely above a whisper. It was a sure sign she was succumbing to her shyness.

Kate seemed to recognize the symptoms. She took both Hannah’s hands in hers. “How charmingly you look! I trust you had a pleasant journey?”

Hannah gave her a grateful smile. “Very pleasant. Thank you, my lady.”

“Oh, do call me Kate. Everyone does.”

The older lady and gentleman rose to join them.

“Mama? Papa?” Kate kept hold of one of Hannah’s hands as she introduced them to her parents. “May I present Lieutenant Charles Heywood and his sister, Miss Hannah Heywood? Lieutenant Heywood, Miss Heywood, these are my parents, Lord and Lady Allendale.”

“Lieutenant Heywood.” Lord Allendale bowed. “Miss Heywood.” He was a tall, lean gentleman with cool gray eyes and a lazy, leonine grace. The golden threads of his hair were finely wrought with silver. “You are very welcome.”

“Indeed, you are,” Lady Allendale said. Her mink-brown hair was as dark as her husband’s was fair, her wide eyes the same shade of blue as her daughter’s. “I’m sorry your parents couldn’t join us. How fares your mother? I trust her health has improved?”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Charles said. “She’s all but recovered.”

“My father insisted she remain at home,” Hannah volunteered shyly. “He’s very protective of her.”

Lord Allendale exchanged a wry look with his wife. The glacial set of his countenance was briefly thawed by a flicker of tenderness. “I can understand the impulse.”

Lady Allendale’s mouth curved into a warm smile. “I shall have cook supply you with a restorative jelly to take back with you. She swears it’s a cure for every ill.”

“Restorative jelly.” Jack Beresford pulled a face as he approached them. “Vile stuff, Miss Heywood. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

“You already know my brother, Jack, of course,” Kate said. “And this is my second eldest brother, Ivo.”

The bespectacled gentleman who had been standing behind Jack at cards acknowledged Charles and Hannah with a bow. “Lieutenant. Miss Heywood. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“And that unsociable fellow by the window is my oldest brother, James, Viscount St. Clare.” Dropping her voice, Kate whispered to Hannah, “You’re not to take anything he says to heart during your stay. He lives to suppress all our fun.”

Detaching himself from the window, St. Clare crossed the room to make his bow. He evinced no reaction to his sister’s words. “Miss Heywood. Lieutenant. Welcome to Beasley Park.”

Hannah stole a look at the viscount through her lashes. Her blush deepened.

Charles frowned. He supposed, to a young lady’s eyes, St. Clare must be considered a dashing fellow. Fortunately, the viscount didn’t appear to be the flirtatious type. Aside from a single impenetrable glance in Hannah’s direction, he refrained from either staring or engaging with her.

The dogs milled around their legs, plumed tails wagging.

Charles reached to stroke their heads. Hannah joined him, her face brightening.

“This is Gem and that one’s Jolly,” Kate said, introducing them to each of the spaniels in turn. She cast a fond glance at her cats, still sleeping on the chair. “And there are Tabby and Major. Take no offense. They wouldn’t rouse themselves to greet anyone, the selfish creatures.”

“You’ll be wanting to refresh yourselves after your journey,” Lady Allendale said. “I’ll summon Mrs. Kirby to show you to your rooms.”

“I’ll show them, Mama,” Kate said. “Come, Miss Heywood.” She tugged Hannah toward the door. “You’ve been given the room next to mine. It has the prettiest view.”

Charles inclined his head to Lord and Lady Allendale and their sons before following after Kate and his sister.